Locomotives win in Orlando, beat Tuskers 20-17 on game’s final play

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 | 9:31 p.m.

A week after returning to the team, DeDe Dorsey may have saved the Las Vegas Locomotives' season.

Dorsey, the leading rusher on last year’s UFL Championship team, compiled 204 yards of total offense in Las Vegas’ 20-17 victory against the Florida Tuskers in Orlando on Thursday.

“I just needed a refresher course to pick up the offense,” Dorsey said. “We felt our backs would be better than the linebackers covering us.”

The victory avenged Las Vegas’ season-opening loss, when it fell to Florida 27-20 on Sept. 18 at Sam Boyd Stadium, and improved its record to 1-1.

“We could not go 0-2,” Las Vegas coach Jim Fassel said. “We fought back after losing the lead. There’s a lot of character on this team.”

The Tuskers took control of the game for the first time with six minutes remaining, when quarterback Brooks Bollinger connected with Cortez Hankton for a 13-yard touchdown to make the score 17-10.

Las Vegas quarterback Tim Rattay provided a quick response by finding Andrae Thurman in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown after a five-play, 71-yard drive.

Dorsey set up the score when he broke free for a 47-yard run on a 3rd-and-1 play. The Locomotives defense was the next to step up and held the Tuskers to a three-and-out on their next possession.

Rattay moved the offense 60 yards down the field to set up Parker Douglass’ 21-yard game-winning field goal.

Rattay had 324 yards and two touchdown passes on 27-for-36 passing. Running back Marcel Shipp recorded 65 yards on 19 carries.

Dorsey rushed 14 times for 99 yards and added 105 yards and seven receptions through the air.

“He’s played well against Florida in the past,” Fassel said of Dorsey. “I knew I wanted to get him the ball and he came through for us.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.